Friday, April 4, 2014

The Best Food Events This Weekend: April 4 to 6

Forget the rain, we're determined to be outside as much as possible this weekend. The Kirkwood and Lake Saint Louis farmers' markets are kicking off. Or you can hit the Claverach Saturday Evening Farm Dinner for more of a farm-to-table experience. Check out the rest of our food-related recommendations after the jump.

This Friday marks the beginning of the 38th season of the Kirkwood Farmers' Market. Pick up poultry, eggs, dairy, cheeses, produce, veggies, plants, handmade items and more. You can also snack on Walk Out Waffles, Tropical Moose or Brad's Kettle Corn. Farms include Menard Farms, Three Spring Farms, Farrar Out Farm Organic Produce & Poultry and more. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

This dinner series kicks off tonight with Claverach's first harvest -- the menu is inspired by the first baby greens and herbs shooting up in the garden. The four-course menu begins with pureed potatoes with chives, then it's pea shoots, purple radish shoots and herbs topped with pickled sardines, followed by herb-stuffed porchetta with shiitakes and polenta. Finish up wtih lemon pudding cakes. You can bring your own wine for a $10 corkage fee, but Claverach does have a limited selection. From 5 to 9 p.m., $65 per person, reservations required, available here.

Haven't been to Urban Chestnut's new craft beer mecca in the Grove? Here's your excuse. Meet the hop growers from Alsace, France, and get your beer geek on. You'll sample four different beers with cheese pairings and get a full pour of your favorite, plus a commemorative Rastal sampling glass. There will also be live music from Wack-a-Doo. From 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, available at either Urban Chestnut location or online here.

The Lake Saint Louis Farmers' Market kicks off its 2014 season in the parking lot of the Meadows shopping center at Highway 40 and Lake Saint Louis Boulevard. It's the only farmers' market in St. Charles county that is all-local and producer-only. Everything at the market is made or grown within 100 miles of Lake Saint Louis. Admission is free. From 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine.

Food Outreach's annual fundraiser has a Roaring '20s theme. Enjoy tastings of more than 50 local restaurants and caterers while bidding on hundreds of items in the auction. Restaurants include Cleveland-Heath, Cielo, Juniper, Pappy's, Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Vernon's BBQ and more. From 2 to 5:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $75 and VIP tickets are $150, available here.

Sample Plantation rum and learn how it's made with Hugo Chambon-Rothlisberger of Cognac Ferrand. Small plates will also be served. 1 to 3 p.m., reservations required. Call 314-696-2603. $25 per person.
Gut Check is always hungry for tips and feedback. E-mail the author at nancy.stiles@riverfronttimes.com or follow her on Twitter.